Federal government turns to states for rural broadband - News - Communications

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This story was printed from ZDNet Australia.
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Federal government turns to states for rural broadband

By Staff writers, ZDNet Australia
July 10, 2003
URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Federal-government-turns-to-states-for-rural-broadband/0,130061791,120276133,00.htm

The federal government is urging state and territory governments to join the National Broadband Strategy Implementation Group (NBSIG) in the hope that it will drive broadband adoption in remote areas.

Senator Richard Alston, the Minister for Communication, Information Technology and the Arts, has written to state and territory governments asking for their nominations for the NBSIG, a statement said.

According to forecasts by global consulting group Accenture, next generation broadband could inject between AU$12 billion and AU$30 billion per year into the economy if it becomes as ubiquitous as the telephone in the next 25 years.

In a statement released by the Senator, the federal government emphasises the need for cooperation.

"It is critical that all levels of government and industry work together to facilitate the rollout and effective use of affordable broadband throughout Australia," it said. "A co-operative and coordinated approach from all levels of government will reduce the potential for fragmented and ad-hoc solutions that will only hinder the development of economically sustainable broadband infrastructure, particularly in regional Australia".

The NBSIG will develop and oversee the AU$142 million recently earmarked by the government for national broadband development following the Regional Telecommunications Inquiry.

The group will try to develop a viable market for broadband in rural areas of Australia, and determine how government funds should be spent so that "sustainable outcomes will be achieved".